Trinity Episcopal’s William McGehee walked away with the top scholastic award at the 19th annual National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame Miss-Lou Chapter banquet Thursday at the Natchez Eola Radisson Hotel.

McGehee won the $1,750 scholarship.

&uot;I’m very excited,&uot; McGehee said. &uot;This will definitely help out for college. It was a great night. I really enjoyed Coach (Jack) Bicknell’s speech. He’s a good motivational speaker.

Louisiana Tech head football coach Jack Bicknell III was be the featured speaker.

Taking home the $1,250 scholarship was Jeremy Rowzee of Vidalia High.

&uot;It’s nice to see the number of years of hard work pay off,&uot; Rowzee said. &uot;This will definitely help out a lot.&uot;

Ferriday’s Aron Thomas won the $1,000 scholarship.

&uot;I was honored just to be nominated,&uot; Thomas said.

Receiving scholarships of $750 were Tim Baker of ACCS, Patrick Beasley of Cathedral, Tom Terry Milliken of Huntington and Michael Hamilton of Natchez High.

Bicknell, the second-youngest Division I-A head football coach, led Tech to an 8-3 season last year, including a win over Alabama. He led the Bulldogs to a school record eight straight wins and was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association State Coach of the Year.

He told the large gathering about never giving up on your dream and always going after your goal.

Junior high scholar/athletes from each school were also recognized and awarded certificates.

Those students were Anthony Strauder of Natchez Middle School; John Paul Kenda III of Cathedral; Mark Brinegar of Trinity; Adam Pate of ACCS; Frederick Marsalis of Vidalia Junior High and Patrick Clayton of Huntington Junior High.

Also honored at this year’s event were Claude Porter with the Distinguished American Award and E.T. James with the Contribution to Amateur Football Award.

Longtime Democrat sportswriter/columnist Glenvall Estes was also recognized and presented a plaque for his many years of covering the local sports scene.

Natchez Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown proclaimed Thursday at &uot;Glenvall Estes Day&uot; in Natchez.